Regulating apparatus



Dec. 13, 1932. P. c. TEMPLE REGULATING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 9, 1929 INVENTOR Blz/L C. EMPL@ ATToR Y- x Patented D-ec. 13, 1932 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE PAUL C. TEMPLE, F DECATUR, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO A. W. CASH OOIMIPANY, 0F

DECATUR, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE REGULATING APPARATUS Application mea' December 9, 192s. serial No. 412,848.

' through a pipe may be regulate to give a ltion with a furnace may substantially uniform pressure on the discharge side of the valve or damper. As anotherexample, a damper used 1n connecthe combustion in the furnace Will produce a required stealn pressure or other desired condition of furnace operation. It is customary to use a power operated motor in a relay circuit to move the damper or other control part, and to control this motor by means of a pressure responsive device operated by the pressure in the fluid control system. If the motor is, for example, hydraulically operated and its controlling valve is moved solely by the pressure responsive device, there occurs the so-called hunting effect, whereby the damper constantly swings between its extreme limiting positions. For that reason it is desirable to provide a compensating mechanism which causes the damper or other controlled member to take certain definite positions which bear definite relations to the pressures in the fluid pressure controlling system, so that the damper or other part being regulated will re-main stationary while the pressure in the control system remains uniform, and a slight change in control pressure will produce only al lslight change in the position of the damper.

A compensating device may operate. on what is known as the straight line principle, which means that if the rangev of permitted pressure variation in the fluid pressure control system is, say, eight pounds then the travel of the operative part of the motor will be directly proportional to the variation in this eight pounds pressure difference; that is, two pounds pressure difference will oause'the e so regulated thatl motor part tol move one-quarter of its full distance. If now such a motor part is con-4 nected to a damper in an'air pipe, then when the damper is in its midway and open position a movement of the damper through onequarter of its total path of travel, as represented by the two pressure, will not c an e the eapacitv of the pipe by but this can e inyair flow will be comparatively sli ht. n the other hand, if the damper is at rst entirely closed, then a. two pounds variation in fluid control pressure will open the damper to give a far great. er -air flow than the desired 25%. For example, it has been found that a 28% damper opening results in approximatel a damper capacity. It is, therefore, important for certain types of regulating apparatus that the change in fluid flow, and not the distance througi which lthe damper or other part being controlled is moved, be directly proportional to the variation in pressure in the control system.

As a further desirable feature, a compensating apparatus ofthis type should be so constructed that the operating range of the control pressure may be varied as desired.v

For example, in the illustration given above it may be desirable to have the` apparatus work within narrower limits' than eight pounds variation` in fluid pounds variation in the control pressure, and

for this reason the apparatus should be flexible in its adjustment so that the motor and therefore the damper or other part which is I ultimately moved may be moved through its entire operating stroke when the pressure variation in the control system is', say, two

or four pounds. This means that the pres- .l

sure in the control system may vary anywhere within the range of, say, two pounds and while it is within this range the motoriand consequently the damper or other part being controlled will remain stationary in certain definite positions without any hunting effect, but if the pressure variation should go beyond that two pound limit then lthe motor and the controled part will move to a final limiting position and cause the system to return to the desired pressure within that two pound limit. These compensating mechanisms as heretofore constructed have presented Certain inherent defects or have been complicated in construction or expensive to manufacture and have not been positive in action and so rhave been unreliable.

It is, therefore, the primary object of this invention to provide a regulating apparatus of this general type which overcomes defects previously found in such devices and in general tok provide a simple construction which may be easily and ,cheaply manufactured and which is sure in its operation, which is eX- tremely sensitive and will respond to the slightest change in the controlling pressure and which in particular is capable of giving a regulation in which the change in the ultimate result is directly proportional to the change in the pressure of the control system.

A further object of the invention is to provide a regulating apparatus of this general type which may be readily adapted to various installation conditions and control line pressures and in which the operating range or the control pressure change required to move the regulator through its entire stroke may be easily adjusted as desired.

With these and other objects in view, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, my invention resides in the combination of parts set forth in the specification and covered by the claims appendedhereto.

Referring to the drawing illustrating one' embodiment of my invention, in which like reference numerals indicate like parts l:

Fig. 1` is an elevation, partly in section, of a regulating apparatusconnected to a control valve and arranged to control the pres ure of fluid on the discharge side of the va ve; and

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross section of the four-way pilot vvalve which controls the movements of the regulator piston.

The specific form of apparatus shown in the drawing comprises a fluid pressure responsive devlce arranged to control'the movements of a power actuated member, and a compensating mechanism which serves to stop the movements of the power actuated member and causes it lto take positions which bear a definite relation to the changes in the pressure on the pressure responsivey device but which are not directly proportional to these changes. For the ypressure responsive device', I Vhave shown aflexible diaphragm which is loaded/by means of a weighted lever supported on knife edges to balance the controlling pressure. For the power actuated member, I utilize a motor having a part mo'vablelthru-a definite range, and this motor in the form illustrated comprises a Huid pressure operated piston controlled by means of apilot valve which is moved by the weighted lever, the piston rod being connected to the apparatus to bei regulated. When the pressure respons1ve-dev1ce moves, thls servesvmtion and stopping further movement of the sure in the chamber 18 should fail.

of the apparatus and connected to operate the pilot valve, and the other of which is pivoted to the piston rod, or to some part moved thereby, and arranged to slide relative to the first member. These parts areso arranged that movement of the piston will/causei the second member' to slide relative to the first and turn it about its pivot vbecause of the change in angle of the second member, thus returning the pilot valve to its initial posipiston. Moreover, the construction is such that the change in angle of the second compensating member will be less for a given piston movement as the valve or other device being regulated approaches its open position, as the result of a decrease in the pressure in the control system, and .consequently a given change in control pressure will produce substantially the same change in valve capacity, whether the valve is nearly closed or nearly open.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing comprises a regulatingapparatus arranged to control the pressure in ya pipe line 10 by means of a balanced valve 11 in the line. This valve is of the ordinary double disk type well known in the art. Steam or other fluid is flowing through the pipe in the direction of the arrow.

lhe pressure in the pipe 10 on the dischargel side of the valve is transmitted through a control pipe 12 to a pressure responsive ilexible diaphragm 14. This diaphragm is clamped at its periphery between an annular portion of the supporting'frame 15 of the regulating apparatus, and a hollow concavoconvex cap 16 which forms a pressure chamv ber 18 beneath the diaphragm. The pipe 12 is connected to this chamber. A pressure plate 19 is fastened to the upper side of the diaphragm and carries an upwardly extending knife' edge 20 which supports a lever arm or beam 22. A downwardly extending'knife edge 23 carried by the frame l5 forms a stationary pivot for the arm 22 near one end, and a weight 24 is hung on the opposite end of the armto balance the pressure on the lower side of the diaphragm. f A slidable weight 26 may also be mounted on the lever arm if desired, thus providing a convenient means for adjusting the pressure whiclrthe apparatus will maintain. A light -compression spring 27 beneath the diaphragm serves to maintan the knife edge 20 in proper contact with the lever arm at all times, even though the pres- Adjustf able screws 28 above and below the lever arm serve as stops to limit the amount of its movement. 1

The lever arm 22 will assume a position bc-l tween the stops 28 proportional to the pressure in the chamber 18. This is because of the well known fact that the effective area of a flexible diaphragm changes as it moves in response to a pressure change. Assume the pressure in chamber 18 increases slightly. The lever arm will be raised slightly and the effective area of the diaphragm will be reduced because of the upward movement. This reduction in effective area will compensate for the increased pressure, and .the arm will thus remain balanced in its new7 position until a further pressure change occurs. In a similar manner, a reduction of pressure in chamber 18 will lower the arm and increase the effective area of the diaphragm, thus compensating for the reduced pressure, and the arm will remain balanced in a new position.

I utilizelthe movements of the beam 22 in response to pressure change to control the movements of a piston 30 mounted in a stationary vertical cy11nder31 supported by the frame 15. A piston rod 32 joined to the piston extends upwardly through a stufling box 34 in the upper end of the cylinder. T he piston rod 32 is connected bya link 35 to one endy of a lever. 36. The opposite end of the lever is pivoted tothe stem 38 of the balanced valve 11, and the leveris supported intermediate its ends by Ia link 39 mounted on the valve casing. These parts are so proportioned that when' the piston 30 is at the lower limit of its movement in the cylinder 31, the valve 11 will be completely closed, and when the piston is at the upper limit of it's movement the valve will be fully open. The amount of valve opening is at all times directly proportional to the distance the piston has moved from its lowermost position.

The piston 30 is actuated-by iluid pressure under the control of a pilot valve 41 conthe piston will tra-vel all the way to the end nected to the beam 22. This valve is preferably of the well known balanced piston type and is mounted in a valve casing 42 supported on the frame 15. The stem 43 of the vab'e extends upwardly' through a stutling .box 45 in the casmg and is pivoted to one end of a lever 46. The other end of the lever is joined by means of a link 47 to the beam 22. The lever 46 is supported intermedite its length on a fulcrum 49 formed on the upper end of, a link 50. These parts are so arranged that whenever the beam 22 is raised by an increase in pressure in chamber 18, the pilot valve 41 will move downwardly, and vice versa.

The valve casing 42 is divided internally. by means of partitions into four separate chambers. The central chamber 53 is supplied with fluid under pressure through a pipe 54. T hi s operating fluid may be air, water, oilk or any other suitable gas or liquid as desired. The

exhaust chamber 55 extends to both ends of i the casing and connected to an exhuast pipe 57, which is intended to carry away the spent operating fluid, the disposal of which depends upon its character. If compressed air 1s being used, the pipe 57 may discharge to atmosphere. If water is being used, the discharge pipe will lead to a drain. If oil is used, it is returned to a reservoir. the central inlet chamber 53, and between the inlet chamber and the exhaust chamber, I

provide a chamber 58 which is connected by a pipe 59 to the'lower end of the cylinder 31. The upper end of the cylinder is connected by a pipe 61 to a chamber 62 directly beneath the inlet chamber 53. For convenience inl manufacture Lpreferably provide a hollow cylindrical sleeve 64 in which the valve 41 is slidable and which extends vertically through the chambers 58, 53 and 62. Ports 65 in `the wall of the sleeve 'provide passages lending between each of these chambers and the interior of the sleeve, and the ends of the sleeve open into the exhaust chamber 55.

The pilot valve 41 and its associated parts are so arranged that whenever the valve is in the neutral position shownv in Fig. 2, both ends of cylinder 31 are cut off from communication with the inlet chamber 53 and the l exhaust chamber 55, and as a result the piston 3() is held stationary. If the valve is moved downwardly from its neutral position, chamber 62 and the upper end of the cylinder are connected to the inlet chamber 53, while at the` same time chamber 58 and the lower end of the cylinder are connected to the exhaust chamber This will admit fluid above the piston 30 and cause it to move downwardly. In a similar manner, if the valve 41 is moved upwardly from its neutral position, fluid will be admitted beneath the piston 30, the upper end of the cylinder will be connected to the exhaust, and the piston will move upwardly.

Above W'ith the construction as so far described in the diaphragm chamber. This relationship is such that the extent of piston movement in response to a given pressure change is progressively decreased as the piston moves downwardly and the balanced valve 11 approaches its closed position. As a result, valve capacity is changed substantially in direct proportion to echanges ,in control line pressure, and very smooth and accurate regulation is obtained. l

The compensating mechanism illustrated comprises a pair of relatively slidable members 70 and 71. The member 70 is shown as a cylindrical rod having its upper end pivoted to the piston rod 32 by means of a pin 72.

'means of ay link 76 to one end of a lever 78.

` The effective length of the extension 75 may be varied by adjusting the lower end of the link 76 along` the slot.' The lever 78 is pivoted to the Literame by means of a bolt 79 intermediate of its length, and the end opposite the link 76 is' pivoted to the lower end of link by means of a bolt 80. In this way the lcompensating mechanism is arranged to coact with' the connection between l the, weighted beam and the pilot valve.

The operation of the ,invention will now be apparent from the above disclosure. If the pressure in the control line 12 drops slightly, perhaps because of increased demand from pipe line 10, then the beam 22 will be lowered a distance proportional to the pressure drop, 'and will come to rest in itsl new position because of the change in effective area of the diaphragm. As beam 22 moves downwardly, it will actA through link 47 to rock lever 46 about pin 49 as a fulcrum, tlius raising valve 41. This will admit Huid to the lower end of the cylinder 31 through pipe 59, causing iston 30 to move upwardly and opening alanced valve 11 to take care of the increased demand. As the piston rod moves upwardly ,it will carry with it the slide rod 70, which will slide through the member 71 while at the same time turning it about its pivot 74 in a clockwise direction because oi the change in `the angular position of the slide rod. This movement 'of the member 71 'will be transmittedlthrough link 6, lever 78, and lin-k 50, vthus rocking lever 46 about the upper end of lilik 47 as a fulcrum, lowering pilot valve 41 to its neutral position and stopping piston 30 in a new position.

As the piston 30 moves upwardly, the slide rod 7 0 will turn about its pivot 72 in a clockwise direction into a more nearly vertical position, that is, more nearly arallel with the axis of the piston rod, an the piston will have to travel for a greater distance to produce a` given compensating eiiect than when it was in a lower position. ,As a result, equal increments of control line pressure increase will` impart progressively decreasing increment-sof movement to the piston 30 and the valve 11 as the latter moves towards its closed position, thus regulating the capacity of valve 11 substantially in direct proportion to changes in the pressure on the diaphragm.

c'By merely adjusting the lower end oflink 76 along the slot .in arml 75, it is possible to alter the operating range of the regulator, that is, the amount of pressure change required to move the piston 30 through the full length of its stroke. An increase in the effective length ofarm willincrease'the operating range, and vice versa. Where the demand'for fluid through the valve 11 varies greatly, an increased operating range is de- 70 to. The compensating mechanism is positive 90 in its action and will stop the piston ata definite position corresponding tothe change in controlling pressure.V

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1.. A regulating apparatus comprising a fluid pressure responsive device, a reversible hydraulic motor hav-ing a piston and a piston rod movable between limiting positions, a

pilot valve moved by said fluid pressure re-r sponsive device and connected to control the movements of the piston, amember which is pivoted to a stationary portion ofthe apparatus, a rod pivoted to the piston rod at an langle thereto and arranged to slide relative to said member and control its angular position, andco'nnections between said member and the pilot valve, said parts being so constructed and arranged that as the piston moves in re m0 sponse to an increase in the controlling fluid pressure, the rod will make a greater angle withthe piston rod and equal increments of increase of controlling Huid pressure willproduce decreasingincrements of piston movement. 'L

2. A regulatingv apparatus comprising a flexible diaphragm responsive to a controlling fluid pressure, a weighted beam pivotally supported and arranged to move withl the dia- U0 phragm, a reversible hydraulic motor having a piston and a piston rod movable between limiting positions, a slidable pilot valve connected .to control the movements of the piston, a lever pivotally 'connecte/d to the pilot lla valve, means connecting the llever to the beam, a-` member which is pivoted to a stationary portion of the` apparatus, means connecting said member with the lever, and a rod pivoted to the piston rod at an angle thereto and ar- 12u` ranged to slide relative to said member and ycontrol its angular position, said parts being so constructed and arranged that as the piston moves in response to an increase in thev` controlling fluid pressure, the rod will make 1715 a greater angle with the piston rod and equal increments of increase of controlling Huid pressure will producey decreasing increments oi piston movement.

3. A regulating apparatus comprising a 13u' The 75 y fiuid pressure responsive device, a reversible power actuated motor having a part movable between limiting positions, a control device moved by said fluid pressure responsive device and connected to control the movements of said motor, and a compensating mechanism, including a member pivotally connected to said movable part and arranged to change its angular positiony as said part moves, and a member pivotally mounted on a stationary portion of the apparatus and connected to the control device and arranged to slidably support the angularly movable member, which is so constructed that the motor part will be moved successively through decreasing increments of distance throughout its entire movement as the controlling flud pressure increases by equal increments.

4. In combination with a fluid How controlling device movable between an open and a closed position, a regulating apparatus comprising a reversible hydraulic motor having a piston and a piston rod movable betweeny limiting positions, connec'tionsbetween the piston rod and the flow controlling device, a pilot valve connected to'control the movements of the piston, a device to move the pilot valve, and a compensating mechanism including a member pivoted to a stationary portion of the apparatus, a rod pivoted to the piston rod at an angle thereto and arranged to slide relative to said member and control its angular position, and connections between said member and the pilot valve, said parts being so constructed and arranged that as the piston moves to close the flow controlling device the rod will make a greater angle with the piston rod and the 'compensating action will be increased.

l5. A. regulating apparatus comprising a fluid pressure responsive device, a reversible hydraulic motor having a piston and a piston rod movable between limiting positions, a. pilot valve moved by said fluid pressure responsive device and connected to -control the movements of the piston, amember which is pivoted to a stationaryl portion of the apparatus, a rod pivoted to the piston rod at an angley thereto and arranged t'o slide relative to said member and control its angular position, and connections between said member (and the pilot valve which are adjustable to vary the operating range of the apparatus, said parts being so constructed and arranged that as the piston moves in response to an increase in the controlling fiuid pressure, the rod will make a greater angle with the pistonv rod and equal increments of increase of controlling fluid-pressure will produce decreasin increments of piston movement.

igned at Decatur, Illinois, this fourth day of December, 1929.

. PAUL C. TEMPLE. 

